From ‘Looksmaxxing’ to Fertility Risks: The Hidden Health Dangers of the Internet’s Extreme Beauty Obsession
In recent years, the term “looksmaxxing” has migrated from the fringes of the internet’s so-called manosphere into the mainstream vocabulary, capturing the attention of young people seeking to optimise their appearance through any means necessary. The concept, which originated in digital spaces during the 2010s, is built around the idea that physical attractiveness can be systematically improved through a combination of lifestyle changes, grooming techniques, exercise regimes, and in the most extreme cases, surgery or pharmaceuticals. What began as a niche online obsession, however, has now become a cultural trend with potentially serious health consequences. Perhaps the most widely cited example is the online streamer known as Clavicular, who has claimed to have started “looksmaxxing” at the age of 14, using a radical and dangerous combination of exercise, steroids, surgery, and in one notorious instance, reportedly taking a hammer to his own face. While such an extreme case is far from typical, it illustrates the lengths to which some individuals are prepared to go in pursuit of an idealised version of themselves, and it has helped normalise conversations about appearance modification that would once have been unthinkable.
Although most looksmaxxing enthusiasts are not resorting to hand tools, doctors have become increasingly concerned about the broader shift towards extreme beauty practices among young people. The pressure to achieve flawless skin, a perfectly toned body, and lush hair has led many to experiment with aggressive product regimes and unregulated supplements, often under the influence of viral social media trends. Dermatologists and general practitioners have reported patients who are “stacking” high-strength cosmetic and prescription products, such as multiple forms of retinol, in order to accelerate results, sometimes to the point where their skin literally burns. Others are turning to diet pills or supplements that carry dubious health claims and unstudied side effects, all in the hope of contorting their bodies into shapes promoted by algorithms rather than medicine. The danger is compounded by the fact that much of this advice originates from social media influencers, fitness celebrities, and anonymous forum users who have no medical training. Their recommendations are often presented with absolute confidence, supported by dramatic before-and-after photographs and testimonials, but without the caveats, warnings, and contextual understanding that a qualified clinician would provide. As a result, a generation of young people may be putting themselves at risk of long-term health damage while believing they are simply taking control of their own bodies and self-image.
The implications of this trend extend beyond skin irritation, hair breakage, or even psychological distress; according to fertility experts, there is a very real possibility that looksmaxxing culture is also damaging fertility. In an interview with HuffPost UK, Professor Geeta Nargund, a leading fertility expert and founder of the Health Equality Foundation, warned that young people who rely on online sources for health and beauty information are operating on a dangerously false premise. They assume that the content they encounter has been vetted for accuracy, but this is often not the case. Prof Nargund pointed to research showing that around 44% of medical advice about sinusitis on the social media platform TikTok was not based on factual information, a statistic that highlights just how much misinformation circulates in these digital spaces. The problem, she explained, is that “in the world of social media, image becomes important,” and this obsession with appearance can lead people to make choices that prioritise aesthetics over their actual physical wellbeing. In particular, she identified the growing use of anabolic steroids and non-prescribed testosterone among men who want to appear more muscular or traditionally masculine, often with little or no understanding of what these substances do to their bodies beyond building bulk.
The effects of these substances on male fertility can be profound and, in some cases, long-lasting. Prof Nargund emphasised that unless testosterone or anabolic steroids are prescribed by a doctor for a legitimate medical condition, taking them can have a harmful effect on both fertility and sperm quality. Fertility Answers, an organisation that provides reproductive health information, has noted that the use of added testosterone or steroids can cause a man’s sperm count to “plummet,” because the body responds to synthetic hormones by reducing its own natural production of the hormones needed for sperm development. Many young men taking these substances may be completely unaware that they are jeopardising their chances of becoming biological fathers in the future. At the same time, women are not immune to the fertility risks associated with looksmaxxing culture. Prof Nargund warned that women who go to extreme lengths to stay slim, particularly those who become significantly underweight, can experience serious reproductive and skeletal consequences. Being underweight can disrupt menstruation and stop ovulation altogether, meaning that a woman may lose her regular cycle and temporarily lose the ability to conceive. Furthermore, the pressure to maintain an ultra-thin physique can lead to poor bone health and an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life. The tragedy, according to Prof Nargund, is that many of these young people are making irreversible or difficult-to-reverse decisions about their bodies based on misinformation, without ever being told of the hidden costs to their long-term health and fertility.
Reducing these risks, Prof Nargund said, begins with education and common sense. She advised that men who are considering using anabolic steroids or non-prescribed testosterone should carefully check what is actually written on the packaging, and more importantly, should involve healthcare professionals before taking any such medication. The message is simple: fitness and appearance goals should not come at the expense of reproductive health, and any substance that affects hormones must be treated with caution. Prof Nargund also stressed that fertility has traditionally been regarded as a women’s issue, but this is an outdated and inaccurate view. She said that when contributing factors for IVF are considered today, nearly half of the cases involve a significant contribution from sperm factor. In other words, men’s fertility is just as important as women’s, and the damage done by anabolic steroid use or testosterone supplementation can be a major obstacle for couples trying to conceive. Education, both in schools and through public health campaigns, is therefore essential. Young people need to understand scientifically accurate information about their bodies, the risks of cosmetic and performance-enhancing drugs, and the difference between evidence-based medical advice and internet hype. Prof Nargund argued that this is not merely a matter of individual responsibility, but a societal obligation to provide practical, evidence-based education that includes real case studies. She pointed out that “you can’t always block platforms,” but that arming young people with knowledge can help them navigate the digital landscape without falling victim to dangerous trends.
In the long run, Prof Nargund believes that public health education is not just about preventing immediate injuries or fertility problems; it is also about ensuring the future sustainability of health systems. She said that delivering public health education is “an obligation to achieve health activation, safety and prevention and reduce the long-term burden on our NHS.” If young people are allowed to damage their fertility, bone health, and general wellbeing through unchecked looksmaxxing practices, the consequences could be felt for decades, both by individuals and by society as a whole. Fertility treatments, osteoporosis management, and other chronic conditions are expensive, emotionally draining, and often avoidable. The responsibility, she argues, lies with health professionals, educators, social media platforms, and society at large to promote a healthier, more balanced understanding of beauty and self-worth. While looksmaxxing may have started as a niche internet trend, it has now evolved into a public health issue that deserves serious attention. The desire to look good is human, but when that desire is channelled through dangerous products, unregulated drugs, and impossible images, it ceases to be self-improvement and becomes self-harm. As Prof Nargund’s warnings make clear, the hidden consequences of chasing perfection can strike at the very core of human life: the ability to create new life itself.